First Home Checklist for New Owners

1. Change All Locks

You have no idea how many copies of your house keys exist — previous owners, their family, friends, contractors, real estate agents, and neighbors may all have copies. Change or re-key all exterior locks on day one. Re-keying costs $50-$150 total at a locksmith (cheaper than buying all new locks). Alternatively, install smart locks ($150-$300 each) and never worry about lost keys again.

2. Locate Critical Shutoffs

Before you unpack a single box, find and label: the main water shut-off valve (usually in the basement or near the street), the electrical panel (label each breaker), the gas shut-off valve (outside, near the meter), and each individual fixture shut-off (under sinks, behind toilets, behind the washing machine). In an emergency, every second counts.

3. Test Safety Devices

Test every smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector. Replace batteries regardless of age — you do not know when they were last changed. Verify you have detectors on every level, outside every sleeping area, and inside every bedroom (code requirement in most states). Test GFCI outlets in bathrooms, kitchen, garage, and exterior. Stock a fire extinguisher on each level.

4. Set Up Utilities and Services

Transfer or establish accounts for: electricity, gas, water/sewer, trash collection, internet/cable, and homeowners insurance. Set up auto-pay to avoid missed payments. Register your address with the USPS for mail forwarding ($1.10 online). Update your address with your bank, employer, insurance companies, subscriptions, and DMV.

5. Deep Clean Before Unpacking

Clean the entire house before your belongings fill it — you will never have this much access to floors, closets, and corners again. Focus on: kitchen cabinets and appliances (inside and out), bathrooms (scrub everything), carpet cleaning (professional cleaning: $150-$300), HVAC registers and filters, and window sills and tracks.

6. Document Your Home

Take photos and video of every room, every appliance, your roof, your foundation, and your mechanical systems. This serves as your baseline for tracking changes and as documentation for insurance claims. Store copies in the cloud. Note model numbers and serial numbers for major appliances and systems.

7. Essential First Purchases

Safety and tools: Fire extinguisher ($20-$40), basic tool kit ($50-$100), flashlight and batteries, first aid kit, plunger (get two — one for sinks, one for toilets), step ladder, and a stud finder ($20-$30).

Cleaning supplies: Broom, mop, vacuum, all-purpose cleaner, toilet brush, paper towels, and trash cans for every room.

Home maintenance: HVAC filters (buy a year's supply), light bulbs (standardize on LED), batteries for smoke detectors, and basic hardware (screws, nails, picture hangers, command strips).

8. Set Up a Maintenance Calendar

Create recurring reminders for: monthly HVAC filter check, quarterly GFCI testing, spring AC tune-up, fall furnace tune-up, spring and fall gutter cleaning, annual water heater flush, annual dryer vent cleaning, and smoke detector battery replacement. Preventive maintenance prevents expensive emergencies.

9. Create a Home File

Organize and store: closing documents and title insurance policy, home inspection report, warranties for appliances and systems, insurance policies, contractor contacts (plumber, electrician, HVAC, handyman), receipts for all home improvements (for tax purposes and resale), and a list of paint colors and materials used in each room.